Meet The Photographer – Jed Stuart Welland

After spending a lot of my teenage years going to as many gigs as possible in London, I became obsessed with Synaesthesia and how people relate different senses together. I understood it because of the lighting used at gigs with the combination of emotive music. I felt I could demonstrate this obsession through photography and found my chance to at University, shooting as many small bands as I could.

2. What was the best advice you were given starting out?

You can never have enough photos. If you feel like you’ve captured an amazing moment on stage, there’s another one about to follow.

3. What has been the worst advice you have been given?

‘You can turn up at 4, the band won’t be on until 9 though, but we’ll just be drinking until then’-never have more than one beer before taking gig photos, you’ll think all the photos are incredible, but you’ll be proven wrong in the edit!

4. What has been your favourite gig you’ve shot?

The Collier at The Old Blue Last- The crowd were amazing and the band did everything so perfectly, so much energy, a bass in the crowd, guitar strings broken, drum sticks flying, circles of hugs, a brilliant gig! On top of that, it was thirty degrees outside and everyone (including myself) was sweating A LOT!

5. What has been your favourite gig venue?

Koko in Camden. I love the décor in there and everytime I’ve been there the crowd has been incredible​

6. What is the thing you love most about gig photography?

The looks on the bands faces when they scroll through the camera, making a stop motion film of what they’ve just played.​

7. What gig photographers do you look up to?

It’s not strictly gig photography, but I grew up studying Annie Leibovitz’s photography and I’ve always loved everything she’s done with musicians. She’s always managed to capture the character of the music and performer in stunning portraits.

8. What equipment do you use to shoot?

​Canon 7D but I have used 35mm film.

9. What are your thoughts about the very first Shout About It Live?

This is such an incredible way of bringing two mediums together. There were captured moments on the walls as well as new moments happening on stage.

10. What would you want to improve in the ‘gig photographer’ community?

The start is always the hardest, a lot of people expect you to work for free as a photographer and a videographer, it’ll take a while, but this does need to change.

11. What advice would you give to someone just starting out with gig photography?

Sometimes shooting in a pub is better than a venue, you’ll be surprised with the amount of awesome photos you can get from a cramped stage and a tiny place. Also bring more than one lense!

12. Where can we find your work?

​www.justjed.co.uk

13. What’s in your future for gig photography?

A lot of bands I’m shooting at the moment are coming up through the ranks very quickly! I’m hoping to continue with them and see them grow!